Experiences aren't given to us to be 'got over,' otherwise they would hardly be experiences.
More than that, I believe that the grass is green because green is restful to the human eye, that the sky is blue to give us an idea of the infinite. And that blood is red so that murder will be more easily detected and criminals will be brought to justice. Yes, and I believe that I shall live forever, but I shall live without reason.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote explores the intrinsic connections between nature, perception, and morality, suggesting that colors serve specific purposes in our understanding of the world.
Penelope Fitzgerald's quote reflects on the purpose behind the colors we see in nature and their relationship to human perception and morality. She suggests that the colors of grass, sky, and blood are not merely aesthetic choices but carry deeper meanings that enhance our experiences and prevent wrongdoing. The statement also touches on existential themes, as she expresses a belief in her own immortality while simultaneously acknowledging a lack of reason for existence, inviting reflection on life's meaning and the human experience.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the significance of colors in art and nature.
More from Penelope Fitzgerald
All quotes →I have remained true to my deepest convictions. I mean the courage of those who are born to be defeated, the weaknesses of the strong, and the tragedy of misunderstandings and missed opportunities, which I have done my best to treat as comedy—for otherwise how can we manage to bear it?
However, no two people see the external world in exactly the same way. To every separate person a thing is what he thinks it is - in other words, not a thing, but a think.
Similar quotes
The sight of snow made her think how beautiful and short life is and how, in spite of all their enmities, people have so very much in common; measured against eternity and the greatness of creation, the world in which they lived was narrow. That's why snow drew people together. It was as if snow cast a veil over hatreds, greed, and wrath and made everyone feel close to one another. -- Snow pg 119
Justice is achieved only when injustice is absent.
He was talking about the sign that said 'THE COMPLICATED FUTILITY OF IGNORANCE.' 'All knew was that I didn't want my daughter or anybody's child to see a message that negative every time she comes into the library,' he said. 'And then I found out it was you who was responsible for it.' 'What's so negative about it?' I said. 'What could be a more negative word than "futility"?' he said. '"Ignorance,"' I said.
The minute you think that the past was better, your present is second hand, and yourself becomes vintage - it’s okay for clothes not that great for people
The invention of ethical and political doctrines, which blossomed into our own social sciences, is a product of times when things appeared manageable. The same goes for the criticism of those doctrines, though as a voice from the past, this criticism proved prophetic.
I can show you that the art of calculation has to do with odd and even numbers in their numerical relations to themselves and to each other.